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Four Seasons Mexico City
I arrived at the Four Seasons Hotel Mexico City at midnight on my birthday, after long flights that had left me feeling jet-lagged and exhausted. But as soon as I stepped into the hotel, I felt a sense of calm wash over me.
The Four Seasons is located in a beautiful section of Mexico City, on Paseo de la Reforma, one of the city’s main boulevards. The hotel is an oasis of tranquility in the midst of the bustling city.
My room was compact but comfortable, with a king-size bed, a small balcony overlooking the courtyard, and a marble bathroom. The courtyard was beautifully landscaped with trees, flowers, and a fountain. It was the perfect place to relax and unwind after a long day of travel.
The next morning, I woke up early and headed down to Zanaya, the hotel’s restaurant. I had a delicious breakfast of eggs, fruit, and pastries, all of which were made with fresh, local ingredients.
After breakfast, I spent some time exploring the hotel. I loved the sitting rooms in the lobby, which were perfect for relaxing or meeting with friends.
The hotel offers a variety of dining options, including Zanaya, a fine-dining restaurant; Bellini, an Italian restaurant; and Fifty Mils, a cocktail bar.
The Four Seasons Hotel Mexico City is a great place to stay if you’re looking for a luxurious and relaxing experience in the heart of the city. The hotel’s location is perfect, the staff is friendly and attentive, and the rooms are comfortable and stylish. I highly recommend it!
Warner Brothers’ World – Abu Dhabi
If there’s a theme park… I must go and so off we went to Warner Bros World to spend a day of fun!
What first struck me was the magnificent panorama. Warner Bros World was fully air conditioned and was under a spherical panorama of the night sky!
The park is divided into 5 lands- Bedrock, Dynamic Gulch, Metropolis, Gotham city and Cartoon Junction!
Ofcourse I wanted to try all the Thrill Rides before it got too crowded and so off we went to the roller coasters. Fast and Furry-ous and the Batman Knight Flight were fabulous and fun! But my favourite was the Riddler Revolution which we did twice! The Scarecrow Scare ride made people rethink breakfast so that was a one and done ride for us!
Like they have in Disney, Warner Bros has interactive , lovely shows as well! Villains were fought, Batman appeared and our favourite characters sang songs, danced and made sure they got the children in the crowd involved and clapping !
We then met Scooby Doo on a fun interactive ride, helped Superman out and then tried to shop a bit!
This park takes about 4-6 hours to go through. It’s advisable to come at opening time as we did because then you have access to every land first. Finish one land and then move to the next.
This is an absolutely fabulous experience for kids and the kid in you! Definitely a day well spent!
Yas Marina Circuit Express 3000 Driving Experience
So this is a once in a life time experience. Aditya thought it would be fun to drive in a Formula 3000 car. Sure, why not?! I have never been one to shy away from a challenge…. till you see or rather hear the challenge!
So off we were to the Yas Marina Circuit.
To try , you must have a valid driver’s licence. Well that was fine- Check!
Then you get to the circuit. The car racing and skidding noise as the cars turn is shattering. How was I ever going to do this?Add to that we had a briefing which scares the living daylights out of you.
- You may not drive.
- You may not learn to even start this car
- If you do the above- you may still skid / slide if you drive badly.
- That will cause a crash
- If you crash, that could cause major damage including the car on fire.
Ok. Now I was quite petrified.
We dressed in the jumpsuits and then were led to the car. The car is almost at ground level and the pedals are all the way in front. You must know how to operate a clutch for this, as the car initially starts with the clutch.
Maybe I wasn’t going to be able to do this.
Aditya sensed my fear and told me, if I wasn’t sure ; I could do the trial round and then just quit.
The instructor because I was scared gave me my very own driving instructor to guide me who’d drive in front of me and show me the route.
Helmet on. I started.
What a rush. The instructor drove the first round carefully for me to follow and then left me to my own devices post round 1. Though the main instructor came to check on me there was no way I was stopping now!
Best experience ever. Must Do.
Cost per head-: $ 600 but you must add a video capturing your experience at another $60.
Six Senses Paro
And so after a leisurely breakfast we were off to Paro. The two resorts are at approximately the same height but the Paro resort is minutes away from the airport; so it was definitely a good idea to come here.
On the way to the hotel we stopped at the National Museum. The museum looked has a round , winding structure. The grounds were large and has in its possession over 3,000 works of Bhutanese art, covering more than 1,500 years of Bhutan’s cultural heritage. What was really interesting were the winding staircases that took us down to each floor.
The route was wonderful. Hanging bridges, colourful flags and numerous prayer wheels were at the side of the road as we traveled to this beautiful resort. The cold weather had already made us hungry and we enjoyed the wonderful and warm Bhutanese food as we arrived at the hotel.
Post lunch we went to the room. The room was spacious and large. Unfortunately the altitude was an issue for me now and I started having a little difficulty breathing. The guide was ever prepared and immediately brought out a small oxygen tank which helped me tons. The town of Paro is very quaint with a few shops selling marked up artefacts. It also is dotted with numerous coffee shops.
Six Senses across the world are known for their spas so sure enough in the evening I decided to get a massage. The spa is under ground and a short walk from the main building. The one hour treatment left me feeling relaxed and a lot better than my breathless afternoon.
After a delicious dinner in the room we slept, relaxed post the wonderful massage.
The next morning we left post breakfast to Tiger’s Nest. Now if you plan to trek up to Tiger’s Nest , Paro Taktsang, also known as the Taktsang Palphug Monastery and the Tiger’s Nest is a sacred Vajrayana Himalayan Buddhist site located in the cliffside of the upper Paro valley it is advised to leave early if you wish to climb to the top. It is said that this climb can take 4 hours or more. At the half way mark there is a cafe and rest stops. A donkey can carry you up to the half way mark but post that you have to climb yourself.There are about 700 steps down and then 250 steps up at the end. But the steps are a very small part of the journey which consists of a trekking route. Returning, of course, there are about 250 steps down and then 700 steps up. The hike is approximately 6 km.
With me finding it hard to breathe, we didn’t do the trek. We took a few pictures and then drove back to Kyichu Lhakhang.
This was beautiful.The Jowo Temple of Kyichu is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, originally built in the 7th century by the Tibetan Emperor Songtsen Gampo. We walked around the peaceful lawns and prayed and spun the prayer wheels before heading back home.
The evening was an exciting one. We had booked a special temple blessing and post that a wonderful dinner at the ruins of the hotel.
The blessing was glorious. We lit beautiful diyas and then sat in from on monks while they chanted and prayed. It was truly a sublime experience. Post the beautiful blessing we were taken to the ruins which had been lit up just for us. The chef had also made some Indian food in case we were craving that. The meal was in multiple courses but what made the night so special is that they had special local performances. Dances dressed in fabulous costumes and danced traditional celebratory dances for us. The costumes were wonderful. From their traditional Kira to dressing like a dragon; we were treated to a multitude of costumes. The performers danced and sang while food was served. The 2 bonfires and the beautiful lighting served a perfect backdrop to a truly special evening.
Evening done, we slept happy and woke up and checked out at a comfortable time since we were barely minutes from the airport.
Six Senses Thimpu
Six Senses Thimpu is a beautiful hotel. With rooms facing the Great Buddha Dordenma; to wake up in the morning looking at this exquisite sight is truly unbelievable. We arrived in Thimpu about 75- 90 minutes from the Paro Airport. Since our flight had been at an awfully difficult time; we chose to use the day to rest, spa and relax. The Six Senses across the world , are known for their phenomenal spas so it made sense to massage the exhaustion out of us. It also made sense to get used to the altitude. If you do have high blood pressure or do tend to get breathless; this may be something you speak to your doctor about so they can help make the trip a lot easier.
Six Senses curates itineraries for you and I was very happy with the 4 night 5 day itinerary that they had curated for us in Bhutan.
So the next morning we went to see the Great Buddha Dordenma. This is is one of the largest Buddha statues in the world, at 169 feet (52 m). It is important to note that in places of worship; it is important to dress conservatively and wear no cap/ hat. Also within the Buddha there can be no photographs taken.Walking around the Buddha you are able to marvel at the sight of the valleys below and the gorgeous peace radiating from this very holy space. Inside the Buddha you’ll see monks praying and some looking thru Facebook! You’ll also see many altars you can pray from. The space us filled with calm and light.
We then went to the Simply Bhutan Museum which shared with us how locals live, their style of dressing and even the foods that they eat. The museum is tiny but they have a pre arranged tour where you are moved from space to space ; hence it does take approximately 45 minutes to an hour. Post this we were taken to a beautiful park for a picnic lunch. After a quick stop to see the national animal the takin- which is a mixture between a yak, a horse and a bull; we then headed back to the hotel to rest for the evening.
The evening was wonderful. A dance program had been arranged for the lodge with wine and hors d’oeuvres and a series of dances were performed with the tales surrounding these dances. This was absolutely lovely. On a crisp spring evening ; covered in blankets and shawls dancing with locals and watching locals dance was definitely a highlight of our trip.
The next day post a leisurely breakfast it was off to Paro!
Cost-:$1100 per night+Service fee and Tourism fee which varies basis the country you come from
Best times to Travel-:March/ April and May when the weather is pleasant and it’s spring time.
Six Senses Con Dao
It was #ParentTrap again and this time we decided to try the beautiful Six Senses Con Dao. Getting to Vietnam from India does involve multiple flights but Vietnam Airlines has a lovely business class and in a few hours with a couple of change overs we were in Vietnam.
A good note is to organise the Visa from India itself. the additional amount that you pay in India to fast-track your immigration process is well worth it.
Entering in to Con Dao is almost like entering your own private paradise. We’d booked Ocean Front duplex Villas so the beach in front of our Villa was almost exclusively ours. The sea was gorgeous and warm and all the exhaustion from the trip just melted away.
Downstairs we had a fabulous bathtub overlooking the sea and upstairs was a lovely bedroom.
What I loved about Six Senses Con Dao, was that it was effortless for us to plan things to do together. There were so many activities they could plan with you , that spending time with our parents doing fun, interesting things was truly a blast!
So off we were to of a cookery class together- not realising that we were quite literally making our lunch and then eating it as well. There was the uproariously funny water aerobics we took part in and of course the exceptional Chef’s Table Dinner where they introduced us to their fabulous selection of wine.
But the piece d’ resistance was the sundowner and dinner they laid out for us on the last night on the beach- lighting it up with just candles.
The food in Vietnam is light and tasty and the chefs were wonderful working to try and capture all our tastes and likes.
Con Dao should definitely be on your list and you should only stay at Six Senses!
Cost-: $2500 /- approx for an Island Getaway which includes a daily buffet breakfast, round-trip airport transfers ,complimentary homemade ice-cream from 11:30 to 16:30 hrs, a bottle of champagne ,assorted macarons and chocolate dipped fruits, and a plate of savory amenity. ,complimentary minibar: daily replenished, local soft drinks & beers ,one Complimentary experience (once during the stay)
Best times to Travel-:From April to October, turtles nest on the beaches around the Islands.During February to July, the waters around Con Dao are at their clearest for diving, with visibility averaging around 70 to 100 feet. But I loved November to February where the weather is cool and comfortable.
Emirates A380 First Class
There is a reason Emirates First Class is such a cut above the rest.
The cosy suites have large seats which convert into comfortable beds. Every seat has multiple charging points and are equipped with a fabulous treat tray and a small wet bar which holds cokes, sprites and waters. As you comfortably sit you are offered dates and coffee.
The vanity case is full of a luxury Byredo set, featuring a skincare collection made exclusively for flights. This allergy‑free collection hydrates and soothes your skin . And there’s lovely notebook and pen should you want to doodle about your journey or write something down.
As the plane takes off I loved putting a DND outside my cosy First class suite as I shut my door. Service in First class is as you would expect- polished, perfect and respectful. Items on the menu can be eaten at any time and at your convenience. I enjoyed a tub of pop corn while watching my iPad and topped it off with some ice cream!
As you get tired the crew will make up your bed so you can sleep. The mattress is comfortable and I was able to take a quick snooze before I decided on food. The entrees are plated perfectly and the choice is wonderful. Of course you can always order your own meal in advance if you prefer.
The shower and bathroom are glorious. Large and spacious with lots of mirrors and light. The crew set up the bath and shower for you and you can opt for when you wish to shower and someone will set you up. The Bvlgari amenities are perfect.
For my One and Only
It was Aditya’s birthday and we decided to go to a place Aditya had never been to- Mauritius. Now, I had been to Mauritius once briefly and it was a difficult trip. My Dad (Achan) had suffered a heart attack and I was entrusted with the responsibility of bringing him back home. Needless to say the trip, though in a glorious location was a frightening trip. Achan is great now (touch wood) but that was my only memory of Mauritius.
It’s time to make some new memories, we decided so off we went to Maurius and decided to stay at the One and Only St Geran. Air Mauritius had us there in a few hours and the resort is 60 mins away by car or a 15 minute helicopter ride away.
We arrived and because it was early, we were immediately ushered to a sumptuous breakfast, which we ate in the winter sun; albeit a bit exhausted. The room was ready almost immediately. The room size was large and comfortable. We had a beautiful sitting area and a nice sit out as well. We had chosen the Beach front suite which was absolutely perfect and we could just walk out of our room on to the cotton like sandy beach and in a few steps we were in the water.
What was also lovely and something I hadn’t seen before was that the beach chairs were all numbered so there was no confusion or needing to hold your beach chair which you often see at other properties. Each beach chair had it’s own private perfect view.
One and Only was very different from a lot of the other resorts we’ve stayed at in that its had a very quiet vibe. Describing it best I’d say it was laid-back luxury. Even it almost full occupancy, you barely saw anyone and it was a quiet , peaceful haven.
Mauritius was a lovely break for Aditya. He rested, relaxed and sun tanned. The hotel’s restaurants were a fun experience – Tapasake had fresh sushi and beautiful views and Prime had the most perfect cuts of meat. But what Aditya really loved was the swimming with the dolphin experience that we went to outside our resort!
Now the last time I was here I stayed at a suite at the Westin Mauritius Turtle Bay Resort and Spa and there we barely went by boat a distance of 5 minutes or less and we saw ten’s of dolphins. Like waves we couldn’t even differentiate the waves from the dolphins, there were so many and it was incredible.
This time it was a bit different though. We went by car for about 1 hr and then went on a boat and went about 30/35 minutes into the ocean and just as we were about to give up the most gorgeous set of gigantic dolphins swam right next to us. What was even nicer is that Aditya was able to swim next to them. They were playful and enjoyed swimming around him.A lot faster than him, they had every intention of playing with him. Aditya had the time of his life and easily one of his most memorable birthday’s.
In the evening, we had a magnificent private dinner on the beach front and enjoyed the calm that encompassed us as the waves lapped the shore.
All in all One & Only was the perfect calm in the middle of a hugely busy year and was exactly what we needed.
Cost-:Approximately $1500- $2000 approximately per night for a suite inclusive of breakfast.
Best times to Travel-:October on – it’s summer and just a glorious , glorious season!🙂 Remember this is in the southern hemisphere so May on , it’s winter and though the weather in the days is warm, the water is cold and the nights are chilly.
The Knickerbocker
The refurbishment of The Knickerbocker had just been done when we visited it. The location was envious-bang in the middle of Times Square and steps away from the theatre district! The driver that dropped us to the hotel had also heard about the refurbishment. The building is gorgeous and except for the facade we were told it had been almost a gut renovation.The Knickerbocker was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, and designated a New York City landmark in 1988. Landmark status brings with it certain protections for the exterior of the structure, which made the restoration complicated.
The Knickerbocker Hotel’s primary frontages are on Broadway and 42nd Street. The hotel contains 330 rooms including 31 suites, a restaurant, a coffee shop, and a roof bar. There are scattered remnants of the original interior design, including an entrance that formerly led from the New York City Subway’s Times Square station to the hotel’s basement.Exterior details -like the copper lion heads around the rooftop terrace have also been meticulously preserved.
The location couldn’t be better: right in between Central Park and Madison Square Garden—two of New York City’s most famous attractions—the Knickerbocker offers easy access to both areas without having to go through a lot of traffic or crowds when trying to get into either place.
The Knickerbocker is also within walking distance of many other popular attractions in the area, including Grand Central Station and Bryant Park. There are plenty of things to do in the area, so you’ll never be bored while staying at this hotel!
We were excited getting into the Knickerbocker having heard so much about it. However one must be honest, the location is incomparable and the terrace in the evenings gorgeous but the hotel is unfortunately not much to write home about.
The rooms are pokey , even if you take the larger ones, like we had. As you turn around in the room, you’re almost outside! The bright lights of Broadway are seen through your windows but the black out curtains ensure complete privacy from the bright lights and madness of the street. There is also no leak of noise so that’s really great!
The terrace in the evening is exquisite. You can enjoy the atmosphere of Times Square while not being pushed around or jostled for space.
The Knickerbocker is the perfect example of ‘Location, location, location.’ Unfortunately however this is its only selling point. I wish in the refurbishment they had spent a bit more time making larger rooms. People will pay for the location but they will also pay for space and this is one thing the Knickerbocker seriously lacks. The drama and design is all on the outside. Inside its sorely lacking.
Cost-:Approximately $500 upwards approximately per night but do look at the Junior suites(approx $1200) for larger rooms as the rooms are otherwise very, very small.
Best times to Travel-:April to October .There’s never a bad time to travel to New York!
The Ultimate Maldivian Trip
So this was my fourth trip to the Maldives and we finally got it right!
Kudadoo was a slice of heaven in the middle of what actually is heaven i.e. The Maldives. The flight to the Maldives lands on air strip no larger than a narrow highway. As the plane lands, you are drawn to the various blues of the ocean and since the water is so clear you even try to spot fish- whales/ dolphins in the crystal clear waters.
As you arrive, the Kudadoo staff usher you from the airport in to a smaller airport lounge where you can freshen up for a bit before they take you to the sea plane that you take to Kudadoo. The plane is small and noisy , so be aware and the ride takes approximately 45 minutes. You land on on the water and at Hurawalhi Island Resort and then it’s a 3 minute boat ride to Kudadoo. The trip is glorious. The arrival is out of a postcard.There are only 15 residences on this spectacular island and it is glorious!
The team had sent in a set of questions which we filled out. What would we like in our bar? What do we snack on? What type of pillows do we like?
The questionnaire was fun and we loved filling it out. But what we loved even more was the room.
The rooms are large with fabulous bedrooms, walk-in closets and a huge bathroom. But what is truly special is the outdoor deck and pool with the beautiful swing and lounging space overlooking your very own entrance to the sea.
Kudadoo was our best trip because it combined all that we wanted a vacay to have. It allowed us to do anything, anywhere and at any time. So if you wanted an 8 am massage, you could have that arranged. And so we did. Every activity, every meal, every drink and every spa service is included in your rate. So whether it’s Flyboarding, which we did- and failed miserably or night snorkelling, which was truly an experience or snorkelling with sea turtles or even a private dinner on the beach- anything your heart desired could be arranged and the team went out of their way to make sure that you felt like you were the only ones on this glorious , glorious island.
And so we water skied to an island no larger than a strip of sand where we had breakfast and we lunched at their spectacular underwater restaurant 5.8 (on it’s sister island Hurawalhi); and swam and feasted and rested to our hearts’ content.
This is what the Maldives should be all about. It should be about new experiences and coming back feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
The fact that they have sister islands close by allow them to have the water activities hosted on the sister island. That allows Kudadoo to quite literally become a private residence for it’s guests.
Travel with Divya 